There are various ways through which foreign citizens can immigrate to Canada, among them employment and business are some of the most employed by citizens around the world. Those who want to immigrate to Canada from Mexico can use the programs available under the Canadian legislation for a quick relocation process.
Mexican immigration to Canada can be supervised by our lawyers who can provide in-depth assistance to all those who want to move here. You can also rely on our immigration lawyers in Canada for guidance in preparing the necessary documents in accordance with the type of residence permit applied for.
Table of Contents
Types of visas for Mexican citizens immigrating to Canada
Mexican citizens who want to immigrate to Canada have various types of visas they can use. These are divided into important categories: temporary and permanent residence permits.
The following visas can be obtained for Mexican immigration to Canada:
- student visas,
- work visas,
- business visas,
- permanent residence visas.
Most of them enter the category of the Express Entry Program, however, when applying for one, the reason for immigration will weigh a lot, as it will increase the chances of a successful relocation.
Another important aspect to consider is that temporary visas can also lead to permanent residence in Canada when they prolonged until the PR card is obtained.
The advice of our immigration lawyer when applying for a residence permit in Canada can be of help if you are not decided on the type of visa you can obtain.
The main programs under which Mexican immigration to Canada is possible
Those who want to relocate to Canada from Mexico have several programs under which they can apply for temporary or permanent residence here. The selection of the scheme depends on the educational background, the qualifications and experience of the applicant, but also on the English or French language level of the candidate.
The following programs can be accessed by those interested in immigration to Canada from Mexico:
- the Federal Skilled Worker Scheme which is one of the most sought programs by Mexican immigrants;
- the Canada Experience Class Scheme under which an employment visa can be obtained;
- the Provincial Express Entry Categories Scheme which targets Mexican immigrants who want to move a specific Canadian province;
- the Investor Visa which comes with various programs adapted by each Canadian province;
- spousal sponsorship is also an option for Mexican citizens who can move to Canada with family members who already live here.
Before applying for a specific visa, a Mexican citizen must make sure he or she meets the conditions for the respective type of residence permit, and this is where our immigration lawyer in Canada can help with advice.
If you want to immigrate to Canada from Mexico and need guidance, do not hesitate to consider the help of our lawyers. We can also help you apply for Canadian citizenship once all the living requirements are met.
Temporary stay visas in Canada
Mexican citizens who come to Canada with the intention of staying for short periods here can apply for one of the temporary visas available. However, they should know that in most cases the period is established by the Border Services Office and the stay is limited to a maximum of 6 months.
Temporary visas can be issued for a single entry or for multiple ones and are suitable for businesspersons. These can enter Canada once and stay the whole 6 months period, or they can enter and leave Canada several times during this timeframe.
Canada issues a wide variety of temporary visas, and if you need guidance in choosing the appropriate one, our lawyers are at your disposal for guidance, including when applying for a permanent residence permit in Canada.
Choosing a visa when immigrating to Canada from Mexico
One of the main reasons to choose Canada for immigration is the variety of visas and programs under which citizens from everywhere around the world can relocate here. However, with a great number of options comes also the difficulty in making a decision. This is why our immigration lawyer in Canada advises Mexican citizens who want to move here to:
- check all visa types and their requirements and only then make a decision on the suitable type of residence permit;
- double-check with a local immigration law firm if the chosen visa suits them;
- start preparing the documents that need to be filed before immigration;
- check and pay the visa fees before filing the papers with the Canadian Embassy in Mexico.
You should also consider that if you plan to move to Canada from Mexico based on a work visa, your employer must also meet certain requirements and participate in the application procedure.
Our immigration lawyers in Canada can offer more information on how the visa selection and application process should be completed.
Employment visas for Mexican citizens relocating to Canada
Employment is one of the safest ways through which Mexican citizens can immigrate to Canada for long-term stays. This is also one of the most sought immigration paths by foreigners all over the world. However, there are a few important aspects to consider when it comes to this choice and the most important refers to researching the National Occupational Classification job codes and the level of experience one falls under.
There are 5 job levels under which work visas can be obtained and these are the 0, A, B, C, D, and E which are accompanied by 4-digit codes specific for each category of employees, starting with laborers and managers. Also, alongside meeting the requirements imposed by the National Occupational Classification, Mexican citizens must also have relevant experience for the jobs they apply for.
A good level of French and/or English is required. Language abilities are tested through IELTS and TEF exams. Luckily, there are possibilities to enroll in courses that will help immigrants to have a satisfactory level of these languages.
Canada is one of the few countries around the world willing to invest in the immigrant population, as the government’s main purpose is to attract foreign citizens interested in permanent relocation. For this purpose, language courses, student loans, or even free education programs are in place for those interested in long-term immigration to Canada.
Employment opportunities for Mexican citizens in Canada
With more than 70 programs targeting foreign immigrants, Mexican citizens will find plenty of opportunities, especially since the Canadian government has the ambitious goal of attracting 1 million permanent residence seekers by 2022. Moreover, there are several new programs meant to attract citizens from all over the world.
Mexican citizens interested in Canadian immigration can enroll in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Agri-food Pilot programs which benefit from fast-track visa issuance procedures.
These can work in agriculture as farmers and farm supervisors, in the transportation sector as truck drivers, as well as in manufacturing. There are also various jobs that can be found in the medical, education, finance, and construction sectors, all through the same programs.
Should you want to move to Canada from Mexico, our lawyers are at your disposal with tailored support with respect to the preparation of the relocation papers.
The working holiday visa for Mexican immigration to Canada
Like other countries, Canada has implemented the working holiday visa scheme under which young professionals and students can come to experience and study exchanges.
Mexican citizens have three options when seeking to enroll in this program for Canada. These are:
- the working holiday visa,
- the young professionals’ scheme,
- the international co-op for internship.
Under the working holiday visa, students can come for temporary stays in Canada. During this stay, they can work in order to support themselves.
This type of visa is suitable for those who want to:
- work part-time for more than one company,
- work in more than one city,
- make some money while traveling.
This type of visa enables a Mexican citizen to obtain open work permits under which they can obtain various types of jobs in multiple industries. However, they must comply with the requirements of the respective positions.
Young professionals can also obtain a working holiday visa if they have a job offer from a Canadian company. The conditions for this visa are:
- the job opportunity must help the applicant in developing his/her career,
- the job must be remunerated.
Self-employment is not considered for this type of visa when it comes to Mexican immigration to Canada.
The international co-op for paid internships is the best opportunity for Mexican students who are offered jobs in Canadian companies. The condition to apply for this type of visa is for the student to be registered in a post-secondary educational institution and the job is related to the completion of the studies.
The following requirements must be complied with when applying for one of the visas issued under the Working Holiday program:
- the applicant must be a Mexican citizen aged between 18 and 29,
- the applicant must also be registered as a student in a university in Mexico,
- the applicant must dispose of at least 2,500 CAD to cover the stay in Canada,
- health insurance is also mandatory before entering Canada.
If you want to apply for this type of visa, our immigration lawyer can provide assistance. We will also help you apply for Canadian citizenship.
Permanent residence in Canada as a Mexican citizen
There are several programs under which permanent residence can be obtained by Mexican citizens relocating to Canada. These are:
- the immigrant investor scheme,
- the Startup Visa Scheme,
- the self-employed visa,
- family sponsorship.
While the immigrant investor and the startup visas come with requirements related to a minimum amount of money that needs to be injected in a business project, the others have less stringent requirements.
Apart from these, there is also the Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which is one of the most popular permanent residence programs in Canada.
Those who have a spouse living in Canada can relocate here from Mexico based on a spouse visa.
These programs can also lead to Canadian citizenship, which is why if you are interested in this option, you can request more information and details on how to proceed from our immigration law firm.
What to consider for Mexican immigration to Canada
Mexican citizens who have decided to immigrate to Canada must consider various aspects. When moving here based on an employment visa, the candidate must get acquainted with the following:
- if he/she meets the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and the level required to apply for;
- if he/she has the necessary experience to earn points under the point score system;
- have a good language level of French, English or both;
- if he/she has a Labor Market Impact Assessment under which foreign citizens are allowed to occupy jobs on the Canadian labor market;
- if he/she has a clean criminal record.
With respect to the National Occupational Classification, it should be noted that Canada has five job levels ranked from 0 (which is the lowest) and then from A to E.
Those who come based on family sponsorship to Canada, are not required to have relevant experience in specific industries in order to qualify under the NOC codes.
If you need more information on Mexican immigration to Canada, our immigration lawyer here can advise you.
Documents to prepare by those who immigrate to Canada from Mexico
The following documents need to be prepared by those who move from Mexico to Canada, no matter the type of residence permit they apply for:
- the ID or passport (for minor children, the birth certificate is also required);
- a health certificate issued by Canada’s Panel of Physicians;
- a valid language assessment test (IELTS or TEF type of tests);
- police clearance issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
- an Educational Credential Assessment for those moving here under the Express Entry Program.
For those who relocate to Canada from Mexico based on business visas, proof of sufficient funds for the investments sought is also required.
Mexican immigration to Canada can be carefully supervised by our immigration law firm in Canada.
How easy is it to migrate to Canada from Mexico?
One of the best parts of choosing Canada to migrate to from Mexico or another country is that the authorities here make no distinction between nationalities, therefore the chances, options, and procedures are the same for everybody.
To the question of how easy it is to relocate to Canada, the answer is that it is quite easy provided that you have made the right choice in terms of the visa type. However, due to a large number of applications, the procedure is quite lengthy, therefore you should expect the process to take between 6 months and one year.
If you decide to migrate to Canada from Mexico and aim to live here permanently, our lawyers can help you. We can assist those who want to move to Quebec or Alberta, but also in other cities around the country.
If you have any questions about the options you can rely on for Mexican immigration to Canada, our law firm can offer all the answers required, but also tailored assistance in obtaining the selected visa.
Please watch our video below:
Statistics on Mexican migration to Canada
Mexican migration to Canada shily began many years ago, however, it wasn’t until the bilateral agreement on agricultural workers of 1974 and North America Free Trade Agreement of 1994 between the two countries entered into force that the numbers of Mexican workers started to increase.
Statistics indicate that:
- between 1998 and 2018 more than 450,000 Mexican citizens entered Canada;
- around 24,000 Mexican temporary workers come to Canada every year;
- there are approximately 3,000 Mexican citizens who are permanent residents of Canada;
- currently, the Mexican community represents around 2% of the total number of immigrants in Canada.
If you want to immigrate from Mexico and need assistance, please contact our immigration lawyer in Canada.
